Reelectable DBV Head Rukwied Criticizes German Coalition

“The dissatisfaction has not disappeared,” Rukwied said ahead of the German Farmers' Day in Cottbus. “We need a restructuring of agricultural policy, and if that doesn’t happen, the dissatisfaction will increase.”

During the Farmers' Day on Wednesday and Thursday in Cottbus, the focus is mainly on the political framework. This primarily concerns relief that the center-left German coalition (SPD, Greens, FDP) has promised the sector as compensation for the gradual phase-out of cheap agricultural diesel.

Rukwied warns of possible protests if the government continues with the current policy. He refers to earlier farmers’ protests against environmental regulations and emphasizes that unrest among farmers is increasing. According to him, many farmers feel unheard and insufficiently supported by the government. The DBV chief believes that the current proposals are more based on symbolic politics than on practical and sustainable solutions.

Rukwied argues that the legislative proposal by BMEL Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) for more animal welfare is ‘impractical and dangerous.’ The German government is about to “turn off the lights for pig farmers with the stricter rules for curled tails.” This could lead to pig farming shifting abroad. “In ten years’ time, we have lost about 7.2 million pigs,” says Rukwied.

In the interview, Rukwied also announces that he will stand for re-election as DBV chairman for another term.

Environmental organizations are critical of the DBV’s stance. They accuse the farmers’ association of applying double standards by on one hand endorsing environmental and animal welfare goals, but on the other hand undermining these by lobbying against strict regulations.

Martin Kaiser of Greenpeace Germany accuses the DBV of hypocrisy. He states that the farmers’ association participates in committees such as the "Zukunftskommission Landwirtschaft" and makes commitments, but on the other hand actively works to undo these commitments.

The controversy surrounding the critical attitude of the DBV also has political aspects. In recent months, there has been increasing tension between the agricultural sector and the German federal government. New farmers’ protests could put pressure on the government to revise policies, which in turn could lead to political divisions.